Monica887

Thanks. Renting a car could work. The railway doesn't sound interesting to me. But it would be nice to find a way to venture away from the port!

Just now, JT1962 said:

There is not a lot to see in Haines other than nature. It is a small town with not much typical tourist shops / attractions.  The Kroschel Wildlife Center is excellent, if that is offered as an excursion through the ship.
 

Another option is to rent a car and visit Chilkoot Lake and Chilkat State Parks, if it will be daylight until 9:00 or later when you are there. 

Thanks. We decided not to book the Kroschel excursion becuase of the cost. Any other tours we might be able to grab at the pier? I feel like it might be an odd time of day, especially with the kids. 

We will be in Skagway from 7am-3pm. With 2 kids (11 and 8). Any recommendations? 

We are already doing a helicopter to a glacier and a wildlife watching boat tour elsewhere. 

We will be in Haines from 5pm to 10pm, 2 kids, some vegetarians not interested in seafood. 

What to do there? Worth it to stay for dinner or is it all just touristy? Early dinner on the ship and then walk around town? 

58 minutes ago, WxNerd said:

Based on the current forecast I would skip the winter coats. In 2019 the temps were about 10*F cooler than the current forecast and were fine in a shirt and hoodie or windbreaker. 

Thanks, that's helpful. As long as the little kid is comfortable and doesn't melt down while whale watching or something! 

Kids are 8 and 11. So they can re-wear some clothes, but also can be messy at times. 

For the kids, does this make sense:

5 long pants

2 shorts

5 long sleeves

5 short sleeves

2 sweatshirts

Raincoat/windbreaker

10 socks

10 underwear

3 PJs

Bathing suit

5 nicer, dinner outfits (some nights we may not change, or they can re-wear)

So, I need a winter coat? Not just long sleeves and sweatshirts and raincoats? 

4 winter coats is a LOT of luggage space...

I know, I know - wear layers. But realistically, next week (beginning of July):

*What am I wearing daily? Long pants, tee, sweatshirt?

*Are hiking pants too thin?

*Will I ever need shorts? 

*Bathing suit for hot tub?

*Nice pants and casual top for dinner? Or dress with a sweater? Does it get much colder at night?

*Warm hat and thin gloves for glaciers/whale watching?

*Sneakers/low top hiking shoes?

If it was just me I'd bring like 4 outfits and a sweatshirt and be done, but I want to make sure the kids are comfortable to avoid problems!

2 hours ago, JT1962 said:

We used Captain’s Choice Motel / Car Rental in 2017.  They picked us up and dropped us off at the pier, but it was within walking distance, if you don’t have mobility issues.  It was an older Subuaru, but was dependable and served our purpose.
 

I don’t remember the exact cost, but I know it was cheaper to book the car and pay Kroschel Wildlife Center the entrance fee than it was to book two excursions to Kroschel through the ship. Plus we had the car the rest of the day to do what we wanted. The prices may have increased since then, like car rentals in most places.

Wow, thanks! Looks like the excursion for a family of 4 would be over 1,000 but the actual entrance fee would be closer to $200 total! I think we only have half a day there, so I'm not sure how the timing would work, but if it does this is a great alternative. 

Dumb question, but how is cell phone service in most ports? (Verizon, live in US, if that matters...).

Yes, I can live for a few days without the phone so I don't need to pay onboard, but it would be nice to be able to check in every so often. 

For car rentals, where would you get it and about how much money? We left our day in Haines open too and like this idea...

I'm going in 2 weeks! I'm a cruising pro, but haven't been to Alaska. I'm mostly a minimalist packer with a few things that make my life easier (waterproof bags, magnetic hooks, that kind of thing...). 

Anything in particular that I need for this trip that I wouldn't normally need to consider on a cruise, other than some warmer clothes for layers?

Thank you for the information! I ordered the Emed kits.

For anyone else searching the forum, you order, they sent you home test kits, and you call into a video proctor who observes the test taking to validate it. So right before the end of the cruise (I guess the last morning once we dock and have wifi??) You call in and take the test that way. And yes, then upload it to the Canada app ( thanks PP, extra reminders are good!). It's a pack of 6 tests for $150 total, including the proctoring.

45 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Even when our grandkids were toddlers they always traveled with passports and they were/are renewed as necessary.

Of course that is ideal. We didn't notice the expiration because we haven't traveled in 2 years. We are going to try to get it expedited but in case there is a problem (there are NO appointments available in the next month) I'm trying to figure out if it's ok. And of course we are working on digging up official information, but getting the run around. So I'm hoping someone with recent experience can chime in!

The kids are under 16.

Then what is the best way to test to go home? Flight is at 5:00 the day we disembark.

And to follow up, no testing needed to go home? I saw in other threads that there was, but maybe that's changed? 

Ah ok, that's why I was confused. So if the cruise leaves Sunday we can get PCRs at home late on Thursday and that should be ok to board the cruise, with nothing needed for flying. 

It seems like Canada's rules changes on April 1? No testing it needed for Canada is you're vaxed? Is this correct? (I will check with the cruise line obviously for what they want, just making sure I'm understanding what I need for air travel and to time it for the right 48 hours...)

What ID is needed for kids for our cruise? One of my kids passports just expired. This is our first big trip since before Covid and so I hadn't noticed 

We are from the US, coming and going out of Canada. So for both the flights and cruise, what do we need? The websites are SO confusing? Anyone go with kids recently?

We have a day that we are at Tracy Arm for about 3 hours. No shore excursions are listed. Do we just stay on the ship? Does it dock/anchor? (It's RC, if it matters)

1 hour ago, SightCRR said:

Comments: Now I think you are making good use of all the money it costs to fly and cruise. 

Sitka: thumbs up.

Juneau, Book the helo as soon as possible. Mendenhall is just one of many glaciers that they land on so don't be alarmed if it is not Mendenhall. They fill up fast and all are spectacular. 

Skagway, Look into shortened historic summit train ride that stays in the US then walk town. (sit on left going up)

Walk Haines and visit hammer museum if open. If not open at least walk by and look at sign outside and roof. 

sightcrr

 

Excellent - thank you! If the helicopter does sell out, where would I find another excursions, if not through the cruise? Trip is beginning of July, and I'll probably book next week. 

Op here...I changed my mind about being priced out of a helicopter tour. I really want to do one. 

What do we think about doing a sea otter and wildlife quest in Sitka in Sitka Sound. Followed by a helicopter and glacier walk on Mendenhall in Juneau. Then in Skagway and Haines wing it and look for hikes or a taxi in our own (open to ideas for that). 

Are we missing anything big if we do it that way?

When you go to the visitor center, how close can you get to the actual glacier? Wondering if it's worth the splurge for a helicopter and trek to walk on it. 

Is there a way to print a list of shore excursions for each port? I keep opening up possibilities in new tabs which then refresh, so I lose the info. I'd like to narrow down the top choices so I can run it past the kids without them having to scroll through everything!